"And we are back! Welcome to the Princess League everyone!" The Flamboyantly dressed Announcer said cheerfully to the crowd as they all shouted and cheered as cheery music played in the background and bright lights were flashing everywhere. "When last we on live, it was the Idol Group from Osaka Talents, T-Set, facing off against Dyna Chair's one and only Haruka!" The announcer said as he replayed highlights from the last contest.
Everyone cheered wildly as they saw highlights of Haruka and T-Set dancing and singing with everything they got as the spotlights shined on them. "But of course we cannot forget the lovely girls themselves!" The Announcer said with ecstatically as the cheering got louder, before he raised a hand and gained a serious look on their face. "But first, an important announcement must be made to be heard by all!" He declared solemnly.
Everyone in the audience started murmuring to each other in confusion over what it is. Maybe there's something new that is going to be part of the Princess League, or perhaps, one of the two contestants dropped out. Or maybe something big had to be announced before this showing. "For this showing and the rest of the Princess League, depending on how it goes, we will be introducing a Guest Announcer to give out commentary!" He said as everyone were now surprised.
"Now then!" He then said enthusiastically, catching the audience off guard as he regained his previous cheer like it was nothing. "I am pleased, no...I am honored to announce our Special Guest for the Princess League!" he called out as the stage behind him opened up and pink colored smoke was covering the silhouette of the person coming out. "Please welcome." He said with a smirk.
"The one." The audience started to lose their shit the moment they started making out who was coming out to be in the Princess League.
"The only." Haruka and T-Set's eyes widened in shock as they saw who was coming out.
"Japan's current Number One Idol." The Announcer said with a big grin hyping up the moment.
"B-Komachi's Lead!" He shouted as the Internet went wild and people watching were gasping in awe and excitement as the woman in question came out with a smile on her face.
"The Idol Ai!" He shouted as Ai appeared in her B-Komachi Idol Dress as she exploded onto the scene with two hands holding up victory signs as the crowd went wild as she smiled and started waving at the adoration she gained.
"Hello everyone, I am so excited to be here!" Ai chirped happily as she twirled around, earning more cheers from everyone. "As you have heard already, I am here as a Guest Announcer, and as such will also be commentating on the Idol Sing and Dance Off in the Princess League, and if enough people like it. I may come back for more~!" Ai said with a wink as everyone got loud over the possibility of her returning.
Everyone was now doing their best to make sure Ai was seen again on the Princess League and sending out lots of rave reviews and comments to ensure she would stay. T-Set couldn't help but narrow their eyes at Ai, their one goal that they want to surpass to reach the title of the best in Japan. Haruka was once again left breathless at seeing Ai, and now she knew why Ai was here.
"So how about it everyone!?" Ai shouted to the cheering audience. "Shall we give it our all to support our Idols competing in this Princess League or not!?" She shouted again as she gained a roar of approval from all of the audience. "I can't hear you!" She shouted playfully as the audience got even louder. "That's much better~!" She said cheerfully with a wink, driving people wild.
"Now then, let's move on to the main event! The event that all of you came here tonight for!" Ai shouted as the cheers got loud and excited for a whole new different subjects. "The two contestants competing to be the best that the Princess League has to offer!" She shouted as she motioned her hand to one spot and soon the lights turned on to reveal T-Set looking calm and confident. "Osaka Talents' very own T-Set!" Ai shouted as the audience cheered for T-Set.
T-Set held their heads high as they intend on winning this League with everything they got. "But of course we couldn't forget their opponent now can we?" Ai continued on. "Hailing from Dyna Chair, catching everyone by surprise, moving forward to reach her dreams, and now here in the Princess League by herself, we have Haruka Sawamura!" Ai shouted as Haruka appeared in her own spotlight as the audience cheered for as hard just as they did for T-Set.
Haruka was calm and serene, as if the crowd was merely an afterthought, it gave her a sort of presence that drew people's attention to her, the same way that some might say Ai's presence did for her, and why she is so popular as an Idol. But for everyone that was here to watch the Princess League, everyone can see the determination burning in Haruka as she very clearly desires to win the Princess League no matter what got in her way.
"And here we are!" Ai announced with every bit of enthusiasm in her voice as the audience cheered. "Tonight on the Princess League, we have T-Set facing down Haruka, and how it's scored is based on audience approval, meaning all of you wonderful Idol fans~" She said to the Audience with another wink, making them loud. "You will be judging them based on their singing, their dancing, their choreography, and most important of all, is how well they hold your attention!" She shouted to the loud audience.
The Announcer besides Ai, didn't even care if she was taking his role, since Ai was doing a much better job of hyping up the Princess League than he could ever do. And the more attention on Ai there is, the more and more views their Station would get for hosting Ai as a Guest Announcer for their Princess league.
"So tell me everyone, are you ready to support our lovely Idols!?" Ai shouted to the crowd as they roared. "I can't hear you~!" She shouted playfully and got an even louder roar against all odds, making Ai smile happily at the reaction she gained. "Excellent! Now then, let us begin the Princess League!" She shout raising her arm into the air as everyone cheered and the Princess league began in earnest now.
"Well I must say, Ai sure knows how to rile up an audience." Markus noted as Aqua and Ruby were enthralled in the TV showing their mom on stage in the Princess League. Naturally her words attracted loud cheering from Ruby, who was perhaps the biggest fan that Markus had met in person for Ai.
"Of course she does!" Ruby retorted. "It's mama! She's the number one Idol in the world, and she's going to shine no matter where she is, even in this Princess League focused on T-Set and Haruka, mama shines better than either of them!" She declared in her undying support for Ai.
"Yep, I suppose that makes sense." Markus said as he turned back to his schedule, map of Kineicho, city's history, and any noteworthy events that happened in said city on his laptop. Ever since Kashiwagi told him about where his suspect was last sighted. Markus began making preparations to visit the city. And to prepare himself, he needed to know everything he could learn. It would be the height of foolishness to not learn anything about a place you're going to be to hunt down some dangerous folks.
Having Intel to prepare would have helped immensely in those insane misadventures he had faced down in the past, like the Sierra Madre for example. Markus never ever wanted to be caught off guard if he can help it, being surprised was nothing short of a death sentence in his line of work. And now with Terminators of sorts roaming about, it was all the more essential for him to be as careful as he could be.
But first…
"Ruby, get away from the TV, you're too close and will hurt your eyes." Markus said to Ruby as she seemingly didn't hear him. "Aqua, get your sister away from the TV." He then said as Aqua pulled back a reluctant Ruby from being too close to the TV, and were now at an acceptable distance away from the TV. "Good, for being a good kid, Aqua, I will be sure to treat you to some cookies later." He said as Aqua's eyes brighten at that, while Ruby visibly blanched at that.
"No fair! I want cookies too!" Ruby pouted at Markus, which proved useless, since he was always immune to Ruby's cute pouting look from day one.
"Be a good girl and you will get cookies." Markus said, though that didn't mean he was going to harsh on the kids. They were kids after all, and they needed both positive and negative reinforcement to encourage good behavior and discourage bad behavior. At least that's what Markus read up from some of the many Child Psychology articles that he read when he figured that Ai, Aqua, and Ruby were staying in his place long term.
It also worked as Ruby did a complete 180 and smiled happily now. "Okay!" She chirped as she went back to watching the Princess League, as Aqua gave Markus a strange look on his face, before shrugging and going back to watch the Princess League as well.
Which also gave Markus time to organize his out of town trip more easily. Obviously he couldn't go while Ai was out, since that would leave two kids by their lonesome, and he wasn't going to be irresponsible enough to leave two kids to fend off for themselves. For one thing he would never be able to live with himself, a second thing is that Ai would never forgive him if he decided to ditch her kids, the third and final reason is that he cares about them too.
Still though, at some point he would have to take that trip, a lead on one of the assassins after Ai, and potentially more info about the numbers, ranks, and support they have, would make it easier for him to come up with plans to fight the Terminators. But not right now though, not right when Ai was on her business trip, not without letting her know and making plans with her. And also setting up security for Ai and the children while he was away.
All of which took time, and if Markus wanted to do this right, he cannot rush anything. Still, as Markus paused in his trip planning to see the Princess League come to a close with the audience voting for who they liked better.
Which as it turns out to, was none other than Haruka, as the sheer amount of support she got, easily surpassed what T-Set got, and her attitude was quite fascinating to Markus. Since she didn't act like Ai or Nino, and in fact she had a sort of presence about her that she wouldn't be so easily cowed.
No disrespect to Ai or Nino of course, but something in Markus's guts told him that Haruka would still be as composed, even when threatened with violence or death.
Now his mind was going off track now, and Markus refocused on what needed to happen soon.
At the very least, Markus is going to go in armed now, no matter how difficult it would be for him to move in that way. He can no longer afford to take any chances at stake, especially since these Terminators shrug off handgun bullets like they were nothing and can still stand after taking several shotgun blasts.
Then Markus's attention was taken back to the screen again as Ai was making a commentary as an announcer, gushing over the hard work that T-Set and Haruka put into their work as Idols. Seeing Ai so happy and being ecstatic, but now looking more sincere than her fake expressions when they first met made Markus smile, as Ruby and Aqua had eyes only for Ai.
Seeing Ai being so genuine nowadays left Markus with a warm feeling as he got the general idea of what Ai went through, picking up hints, tidbits, and slip-ups when he and Ai hung out together. So to see that she was finally becoming more genuine, left his soul feel warmer.
It was a good feeling.
Aqua turned away from the screen as he yawned a bit as the Princess League finally finished and realized that he was starting to feel a bit tired. Something that Markus noted. "You know, I can head to my room if you want to nap." Markus offered to him causing Aqua to pause. "Don't worry, I will keep an ear out if you need any help or something." Markus said, mistaking the look on his face for something else.
"I'm fine, Markus." Aqua replied back to him. "I was just feeling a little bit sleepy upon realizing that I've been sitting here the entirety of the Princess League." He said to him as Markus raised an eyebrow at him, that hints of knowing more than what Aqua is willing to tell him. "I'm fine Markus, just need to move around a bit." He assured him.
Markus looked unconvinced but decided to relent on Aqua's words to him. "If you say so, but if you ever need anything right now Aqua, don't be afraid to ask." Markus said warmly to him, which made Aqua develop a small smile on his face as he turned to see his now sleeping sister, and realized why Markus offered to go back to his room to sleep since Ruby already fell asleep.
Aqua simply smiled back at him. "Don't worry, I will." He said, and to his own personal surprise, it was actually easier to say that without wanting to go back on his words than he thought it was. Markus simply nodded at that and then went back to whatever he was doing on his computer, checking something for whatever reason.
And then there was knocking on the door, gaining both of their attention. Markus and Aqua paused for a moment as more knocking was heard followed by the familiar voice of Markus's landlord, Hui-Fang. Allowing both guys to relax as it wasn't someone malicious looking for them.
"Markus, please open your door, I know that you're in there." Hui-Fang called out as Markus got out of his seat and started walking towards the door.
"Alright, calm down Hui-Fang, I'm on the way." Markus said as he opened the door to see a relieved looking Chinese Elder. "Something the matter Hui-Fang?" Markus asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes Markus, one of my granddaughters is saying that their fridge isn't working, and now her food can't stay cold, forcing her to take everything out before it spoiled and finding other ways to keep them fresh." Hui-Fang said to him as Markus nodded. "It's bad enough that her fridge won't work but also mentions that the power is not working properly in her place and that her electricity usage seems to be rising despite the power issues." She added in.
"And you want me to go check it out if I can do anything about it right?" Markus asked as Hui-Fang nodded. "Alright then, let me set up an appointment time in my schedule to see what I can do." He said rather casually as he took out his phone, but Hui-Fang pushed it down. "Hui-Fang?" He asked blinking in surprise.
"Please come to my granddaughter's home right now, she has children that she needs to care for." Hui-Fang said to Markus, making him look uncomfortable.
"I would like to do so, I really would, but I am currently watching over some kids in my care right now." Markus said, pointing to the familiar faces of Aqua and Ruby, with only Aqua watching the interaction. "And I cannot just leave them alone either." He pointed out to her.
Hui-Fang paused as she realized that Markus made a good point until she gained an idea of her own. "If that's the case then Markus, then why don't I watch over the children while you're out?" She suggested as Markus and Aqua blinked in surprise at that as Hui-Fang huffed at the reaction. "I may be old, but I am not senile just yet you youngsters." She snapped at Markus.
"Sorry I was just surprised that you offered to look after them is all." Markus quickly apologized before he gained a frown on his face. "Is the issue with your granddaughter's home really that big of an issue that you need me to come right away, and you're willing to look after the kids?" He asked seriously.
Hui-Fang actually looked serious and nodded. "I am Markus, that is why I came here in person." She said to him.
Markus looked conflicted before he turned to Aqua. "Hey Aqua, how do you feel about Hui-Fang looking after you for a time while I am out?" He asked him.
Aqua blinked in surprise, and took a moment to think about it. While he was more comfortable with Markus than Hui-Fang, it cannot be denied that the elderly Chinese Granny treated him and Ruby with kindness. And that's not even counting the fact that Markus does hold a level of trust for the woman in question.
Ultimately as a former doctor, he wasn't the kind of person to ignore someone in need of aid. As such, Aqua saw no issues with it and simply nodded his head towards Markus, giving him the all clear to leave to aid Hui-Fang's family. "Go for it Markus, you trust Hui-Fang right?" He asked as Markus blinked and nodded. "Then it'll be fine." he said.
Markus was silent for a moment before he smiled and chuckled a bit. "You really are mature for a kid your age." Markus said before he walked over and patted Aqua on the head. And to his own surprise...he actually didn't have anything against the head patting. If anything, Aqua would have to describe the feeling that he got from it was…
A feeling of protective warmth that made him feel safe and secure.
"I'll be back." Markus said as Aqua, could easily believe that as he went to his room, changed a bit and grabbed his work bag and turned to Hui-Fang. "Look after the little ones well in my absence okay?" He said seriously as Hui-Fang nodded at that. "See you two soon." Markus said to Aqua and Ruby as he left.
And like that, Markus left for the time being, leaving Hui-Fang in charge, but now that Markus was out, he could do a bit of reading on Markus's laptop, couldn't hurt to figure out what's going on in his mind right about now.
As Hui-Fang moved to check in on Ruby, after she locked the door, Aqua went up to Markus's computer to see what he was doing. Thankfully for him, Hui-Fang got distracted by what happened and then Aqua got up into the seat and blinked at what he saw.
Apparently Markus was checking something about a city called Kineicho, though Aqua had no idea why Markus had any interest in the city itself. And then he clicked on another one of Markus's computer tabs and saw an entire web page about Baseball, of all things.
Markus liked Baseball? Aqua was surprised that Markus had an interest in Baseball of all things. Then he took a closer look at what was on the page and blinked at the mention of the Wyverns? Now that was a name Aqua knew, as it was a Baseball team involved in some kind of big scandal involving one of its star players back in his previous life.
Apparently, some Player by the name of Tatsuo Shinada, was accused of Sign stealing from the opposing team, the Gigants, before he was banned from Baseball for the rest of his life. So the question that Aqua started to wonder was why Markus was curious about that team?
At this point though, Aqua's curiosity was simply too much to ignore and he started looking over some of the web pages that Markus had opened up. And what Aqua saw was starting to paint a strange picture of some kind with a plot to follow.
Then he started reading a bit more into the Nagoya Wyverns' Scandal, and how that apparently led to...Tojo and Omi being pushed out of the city? Aqua blinked as he remembered Markus meeting up with that Yakuza that was a member of the Tojo Clan. And overhearing some talk between Markus and Ai relating to the Tojo Clan.
Did Markus take up a job with the Tojo Clan? No, he doubted it for many reasons, knowing what he knew about Markus so far, Aqua believed that it was the case of Markus working with them for some reason.
So what interest did Markus or the Tojo Clan have in Kineicho? Furthermore, what relation does the city hold with the Yakuza, Tojo Clan, and Baseball of all things? This left his own brain pondering for a bit, as Aqua quietly looked around and saw that Ruby was still napping and holding onto Hui-Fang's hands as the elderly woman looked positively endeared.
Aqua went back to the computer and shook his head, he was clearly looking at this from the wrong standpoint. What he needed to do was find the starting point and then retrace Markus's steps to see where was the thread guiding him.
So looking back at Markus's search history, apparently he decided to look up Kineicho first. Meaning that there was something in Kineicho that grabbed Markus's attention, or someone in the Tojo Clan's attention and directed it to Markus to investigate.
Looking through the reports on Kineicho and its...crime rates? The only thing that Markus apparently found was the fact that the city was home to the elusive...Nagoya Family. Didn't Markus look up on some matters relating to Nagoya? In fact, wasn't the Wyverns from Nagoya to begin with?
Getting a big clue, Aqua went back to the web page on the City of Nagoya and looked through anything of note he can find, until he found it. An article about Nagoya's Yakuza elements, as apparently both Omi and Tojo tried to gain control of the city...but lost it when the Nagoya Wyverns' Baseball Scandal came out.
Then all of a sudden the Nagoya Family came into power, and took over the city's empty crime sector before anyone else could lay claim to it. At least that's what some reports say since there has never been any sighting or documentation or confirmation of the Nagoya Family's existence...a Crime Family with no trace anywhere.
Aqua knew that Markus would do anything to protect Ai, and Aqua also knew that there was more to the attempted murder on his mother than meets the eyes. Meaning that Markus must have some kind of reason to believe that the Nagoya Family has to have involvement with the threat to Ai one way or another.
But Kineicho was far away...meaning that Markus would have to leave them to go after this lead. If it was simply a lack of protection for Ai, then that would be understandable for Aqua.
But...what he was feeling right now was a strange feeling...the idea that Markus would be away from them for some time, left him feeling...anxious if he had to say?
...Did Markus really grew on him that much, that Aqua now actually felt uncomfortable without him? Was Markus becoming someone important to Aqua?
Was...Markus becoming something of a father to him?
Ai took a deep breath as she finished her duties as a Guest Announcer, now that she was in her own personal changing room, and have no one around to worry about, save for Miyako being outside of her room for obvious reasons, Ai could now finally unwind and let loose.
She had to admit, it was fun announcing the Princess League's Contestants and she did enjoy listening to Haruka and T-Set sing, and watch them dance, since it was clear to her that they were both very dedicated. Which is important for Idols in this line of work, since a desire to keep on reaching higher and higher is needed to sort out the interested and the passionate.
But she would be lying to herself if she said she didn't have a favorite. There was something about Haruka's performance that Ai simply liked better. But as an Announcer and a guest speaker at that, it wasn't her place or be proper for her to gush on Haruka, instead she gushed over both Haruka and T-Set equally as she was required.
Though her attention was now on her phone as she began changing and humming the tune to that song she was working on. It was a rare photo selfie that she took with Markus, Aqua, and Ruby all in one go. It was probably the closest thing she was ever going to have a family photo involving Markus at this point in her life, and despite that it still made her feel warm every time she saw it.
In the photo Ai was smiling happily leaning on Markus's shoulders, while Markus himself had a warm smile directed at her. And in both of their arms were a pair of sleeping twins leaning on each other as Aqua was in Markus's arms and Ruby was in her arms. The sight of the photo melted her every time she looked at it.
As she finished changing and applied her cap and sunglasses again, she made sure that she didn't leave anything behind and exited the changing room where Miyako was standing outside waiting for her. "How did I do?" She quietly and quickly asked the woman, who simply smirked at her.
"Like always Ai, you did absolutely well, I couldn't have given a better performance myself." Miyako praised as she leaned in closer to whisper to her. "I think the Station's executives were nearly ready to faint by the time I left, from the amount of viewership that the Princess League got now that you were there." She commented slyly to her.
"Does that mean I might come back for a repeat?" Ai asked, as she maintained her smile, but internally deep down, she already wanted to go back home and hoped that they don't agree to her coming back for a repeat performance.
She wanted to back home, hug her kids, hug Markus, then get spoiled by him while leaning into his chest and embraced by his arms while they watch one of those silly cheesy comedy movies.
"It depends." Miyako shrugged. "You may have been here due to pressure, but the results don't lie, you clearly brought in a whole lot more viewership for the station and show. In addition, to many of the comments and reviews just gushing over you." Miyako said before she smirked again. "Take a look." She said as she pulled out her phone and let Ai see the tweets going on and winced at the sheer number that was exploding.
"Oh no, this is going to take away time from my rehearsals if I have to come back for more." Ai moped a bit as Miyako looked clearly amused by her reaction. "It's not funny you know? I have this one performance that I am trying out with the rest of B-Komachi and now it may get delayed. Speaking of, how is the talks going for the Tokyo Dome Performance going?" She asked, kind of curious as to where things stand over there.
Miyako blinked before shrugging. "There's not much that I can tell you, but now that you've shown yourself on the Princess League, we can expect Dyna Chair to back off from us, which should allow us to continue on with our plans." She said.
"So hopefully we can continue with our plans." Ai said with a nod as Miyako gave a noise of affirmation. "Just out of curiosity though." Ai then said as Miyako turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "What do you think about the performance of Haruka today in the Princess League?" She asked curiously as Miyako blinked at that before she put on her thinking face at her question.
And eventually she gave her answer. "Haruka…" Miyako said. "She good, really good, she has the potential to shine on through very brightly in our line of work." Miyako said as Ai nodded, as she did get that vibe from her, however though… "But maybe it's just me, but I don't really think she actually wants to be here in our line of work." Miyako eventually said.
"Oh, so you got that feeling from her?" Ai said curiously, to be honest a small part of the reason why she had some interest in Haruka is that part of her felt fake to her. As if she was there because of obligations, not because she wanted to be there.
"Call it a gut feeling, but something's telling me that the only reason why Haruka is even here on the Princess League, because that president of Dyna Chair pushed heavily for Haruka to appear. And even then, she may have interest in the field of Idol Work, but it's simply something she carries as a duty she needs to do, not because she wants to do." Miyako said calmly to Ai.
"Is that so?" Ai hummed thoughtfully as that was kind of fascinating and then as they were about to turn around the corner. She grabbed Miyako before they could turn around, and soon the other side was Haruka and her manager blinking at them in surprise. "My oh my, if it isn't Haruka!" Ai said with a smile as she approached Haruka.
"Ah Miss. Ai, thank you for your commentary today!" Haruka said quickly as she bowed to her.
Ai simply giggled. "No need for that, I just did as I ask, nothing more, but now that you're free, do you wish to hang out?" She asked curiously as Haruka's eyes widened at that, and her manager was gasping, while Miyako simply sighed.
"Hang out? With you?" Haruka said in surprise.
"Just call it a chance for some girl talk, I am surrounded by older people right now, so the atmosphere can get a bit dreary, and besides, aren't you curious to learn some tips and tricks from a long time Idol in our bushiness?" Ai smiled at Haruka.
Haruka looked unsure. "Is it really okay? I imagine someone like you is busy." She said.
"I may be busy, but it's also important to deescalate the tension and stress in your body, otherwise you will hurt yourself long term." She said as Haruka's eyes seemingly gained some remembered at that.
"Well...if you say so." Haruka eventually agreed.
"Excellent, let's go!" Ai said cheerfully as she took Haruka's arms into her own and ditched Miyako and Haruka's manager.